Chapter members from Liberty High School in front of the Anaheim Convention Center at ICDC 2024.
By Anvi Saxena, Liberty High School, Project Management Career Development
"Tikki, spots on!" from Miraculous Ladybug is what I think of when I step into a DECA environment. Competing once again this year at ICDC was the same. I truly feel empowered to be my greatest, authentic self and feel so amazing about the journey my event has made throughout the course of the year. Wearing that blazer makes me feel like a superhero who can make a difference, just like Miraculous Ladybug. Now, as much as I would love to talk about my rollercoaster experience this year simply, I also want to be able to leave you with something. So as your DECA hero, here are my top three tips for having a great time at ICDC from my experiences this year:
1. Persevere Through Any (and all) Obstacles
This year, my team and chapter faced significant challenges before, during, and after ICDC. Our flight and others from our area were delayed six hours, giving us one less day to experience it all. However, this delay helped us grow closer as a chapter as we switched from terminal to terminal. We made the best of it by running our scripts and playing random games. However, things didn’t get easier from there. My partner got sick the day we flew in, and our board frame was completely broken. Although the board was a quick fix, thanks to Target, my partner getting sick wasn’t. We had been practicing for months for this day, and she could barely talk. Thanks to the CVS below us and the great ramen place near our hotel, we persevered through it all. My partner felt a bit better by presentation day, allowing us to give it our best shot. Although there was so much that kept happening, seeing all chapter members support each other made us push through and make the best out of every situation thrown at us. The key was not giving up and making the best of our situation despite not being what we had initially hoped for. You also have to remember that, at the end of the day, this is supposed to be a fun experience. By facing obstacles as they arise, you allow yourself to move forward and truly experience the difference!
2. Enjoy the Whole Process (not just the end result)
Another very important lesson I learned this year was that it's crucial to focus not just on the end results but to enjoy the entire journey. As a written event competitor, I can say that almost all written events are fueled with passion. With most of us starting in the summer and planning out every tiny detail, from a report’s font size to executing a project, it can be disheartening when factors out of your control dictate your end result. A pitch my partner and I had been working on for weeks had to be switched because of a random, unforeseen sickness. Although I didn’t realize it two days before the competition, we spent prepping; competing at ICDC is so much more than just winning. It’s about presenting the passion you have poured into your project and showcasing it internationally.
While our presentation pitch may not have been what we had hoped for, we still took so much away from competition day. While standing in line, I saw so many other unique projects, such as how some people promoted career development through robotics while others expanded small businesses exponentially. Learning about these various projects and talking about mine made me realize the impact and importance of our competitive events beyond the DECA environment. By enjoying the whole journey of competing rather than focusing solely on the end result, you might surprise yourself with new learnings and connections in the real world!
3. Talk to Everyone and Anyone
“Interacting with people from all over the world is what makes ICDC so fun” is probably something you've heard a million times. As an introvert, this tip initially scared me, but I truly understood its value once I was at ICDC. Before my first ICDC last year, I never really grasped how I could connect with people from around the globe. When random people approached me to trade pins, hats, and lightsabers at my first opening session, I started to understand how easy it was to ignite a conversation. Meeting people who share the same love I have for Chipotle and DECA was truly life-altering for me.
Although I didn't manage to get a China pin this time, the “networking aspect” was taken to the next level. Not only was the opening session filled with new connections, but I also captured some of these moments on camera while vlogging the experience. Looking back, it was really cool to see how the DECA environment makes it so easy for us to approach one another. Another enhancement to my networking came when we were shooting my friend’s NHS campaign video. We got to connect on things besides DECA and really create a bond. By the end of my friend’s campaign video, we had made so many new friends and a great video, which, although it didn't get used, is still fun to watch to this day. It’s still so cool to catch up with people worldwide through a random Instagram DM or bumping into them on vacation. This year, I really got to expand my networking, and it significantly enhanced my overall ICDC experience.
Now that you know my top three tips from my experience as a competitor at ICDC, I think my work here is done. But wait, what about your next ICDC adventure? How will you make it extraordinary? “Tikki, spots off.” So, how will you “be the one” at your next ICDC?